Keeping Children Safe (KCS) Certification provides independent external assurance that an organisation meets recognised standards in child safeguarding, demonstrating both competence and a strong commitment to protecting children from harm.
By achieving the KCS Certification, organisations signal that children’s safety is central to their work. The recognition strengthens trust with donors, partners and the wider public, enhancing the organisation’s work.
The certification process, with its two levels, is also a formative and strengthening experience for organisations, which receive tailored, actionable advice to address any existing gaps or further develop any of their existing safeguarding practices.
The Level 1 Certification provides assurance that your organisation has an effective child safeguarding framework in place, whereas the Level 2 Certification provides assurance that your organisation is implementing its child safeguarding measures.
Our process
Led by experienced practitioners, the process for Level 1 (L1) Certification starts with an application assessment to determine an organisation’s eligibility to be certified and, upon the success of the application, the assignment of an auditor, from the KCS team, to support throughout the process. KCS will then evaluate the scope of the work and provide a proposal with costs, activities and timescale, followed by a service agreement.
The organisation will be asked to complete a self-assessment, to help positioning them against the International Child Safeguarding Standards and offering an overview of the organisation’s safeguarding. The appointed auditor will then review the outcomes, evaluate the evidence and conduct interviews with any relevant personnel in the organisation. L1 Certification is awarded if the organisation meets the Standards.
If the organisation does not yet meet the threshold for certification, it will receive advice on how to reinforce child safeguarding systems, including support with drafting an improvement plan to help prepare the organisation for re-submission, as needed.
After completing L1 Certification, the organisation will be sent a detailed report on their strengths and weaknesses as well as recommendations for achieving Level 2 (L2) Certification.
Building on the foundation from Level 1 Certification, the Level 2 process begins with reviewing an organisation’s progress. The KCS team assesses the improvements made to safeguarding measures since L1 was awarded – all prior recommendations have to be addressed before moving forward. Once this requirement is met, in-depth audit visit(s) will be conducted to the organisation’s headquarters and sub-offices, for a comprehensive evaluation of systems, practices and personnel. These visits inform a report of key findings and recommendations, which is reviewed by an independent certification assessment panel.
If the standards are met, L2 certification is awarded. If the KCS team finds gaps, we work collaboratively with the organisation to develop a targeted improvement plan based on the audit findings that prepares the organisation for a re-submission.
Frequently asked questions
What language is the certification carried on?
Our certification services are available in English and Spanish.
My organisation has achieved a different safeguarding accreditation. Would we benefit from the KCS Certification in addition?
The KCS Certification can be a good recognition to have even in addition to other accreditations. It is a globally recognised symbol that an organisation has robust child safeguarding policies and systems in place. Many organisations have benefited from going through KCS’s Certification process even after having other safeguarding accreditations.
My organisation’s headquarters is at a different location than the programme location. Can we get our programme locations certified?
Yes, you can. We are able to certify every physical location your organisation operates, under Level 1 Certification. Certifying your organisation’s headquarters costs GBP £15,000 and each additional location costs GBP £1,875.
Does Level 2 require Level 1 certification first or can they be done conjointly?
Your organisation has to apply for Certification Level 1 to then request Level 2. This journey will help you gradually improve your child safeguarding practices.
How long should organisations take to complete the self-assessment adequately? It depends on how you organise your work and responsibilities regarding collecting and organising data. We suggest appointing a lead who also acts as a contact point for KCS and works collaboratively with all departments to aggregate the needed data and evidence. With knowledge of your organisation, this person can estimate times more accurately.
Learn more about KCS Certification
If you wish to know more about the process or ask your own questions, join one of our free ‘Certification in Practice’ webinars in English.
These one-hour sessions with Stefan Yordanov, KCS’s Head of Standards and Learning, are perfect to learn about:
- How to implement the International Child Safeguarding Standards
- What is the step-by-step guide to the Level 1 Certification process
- How to prepare for certification and conduct self-assessments
- What happens after submission.
Seats are limited, find your date and register today:
20 April 2026 at 13:00 London time: https://bit.ly/20April-KCSwebinar
13 May 2026 at 13:00 London time: https://bit.ly/13May-KCSwebinar
Ready to start your certification journey?
The best moment to strengthen your safeguarding practices and demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to protecting children is now. To take the first step in your certification journey, contact us at info@keepingchildrensafe.global.